Polynucleotide vaccine formula against canine pathologies, in particular respiratory and digestive pathologies

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an immunological or vaccine composition that includes at least one plasmid that contains and expresses in vivo in host canine cells a nucleic acid molecule that encodes an antigen of a canine pathogen, such as rabies G. The plasmid can include more than one nucleic acid molecule such that the plasmid can express more than one antigen. Also disclosed are methods for using and kits employing such compositions.

This is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/232,477, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,228,846, filed Jan. 15, 1999, which is a continuation-in-partof copending International Application PCT/FR97/01316 having aninternational filing date of Jul. 15, 1997, and designating the U.S. andclaiming priority from French Application No. 96/09401, filed Jul. 19,1996. Reference is also made to the applications of Audonnet et al.,Ser. Nos. 09/232,278, 09/232,468, 09/232,279, 09/232,479 and 09/232,478,and to the application of Rijsewijk et al. Ser. No. 09/232,469, allfiled Jan. 15, 1999. All of the above-mentioned applications, as well asall documents cited herein and documents referenced or cited indocuments cited herein, are hereby incorporated herein by reference.Vectors of vaccines or immunological compositions of the aforementionedapplications, as well as of documents cited herein or documentsreferenced or cited in documents cited herein or portions of suchvectors (e.g., one or more or all of regulatory sequences such as DNAfor promoter, leader for secretion, terminator), may to the extentpracticable with respect to the preferred host of this application, alsobe employed in the practice of this invention; and, DNA for vectors ofvaccines or immunological compositions herein can be obtained fromavailable sources and knowledge in the art, e.g., GeneBank, such thatfrom this disclosure, no undue experimentation is required to make oruse such vectors.

The present invention relates to a vaccine formula allowing thevaccination of dogs against a large number of infectious pathologies, inparticular respiratory and digestive pathologies. It also relates to acorresponding method of vaccination.

Infectious dog pathology is extremely varied and often difficult tocontrol depending on the circumstances encountered in the field.

A number of vaccines already exist, in particular against Carré'sdisease (CDV virus), parvovirosis (CPV virus), coronavirosis (CCV virus)kennel cough or respiratory complex (PI2 virus) and rabies(rhabdovirus). These vaccines are, more generally, live vaccinesconsisting of attenuated strains. This is especially the case forCarré's disease vaccines, vaccines against canine adenoviroses, vaccinesagainst parvovirosis and vaccines against the canine coronavirus.

In some cases, inactivated vaccines have also been proposed, as forrabies and coronavirosis.

These various vaccines are sold either separately, that is to say in theform of monovalent vaccines, or in the form of associated, that is tosay polyvalent, vaccines.

The polyvalent associations developed up until now have always posedproblems of compatibility between the valencies and of stability. It isindeed necessary to ensure at the same time the compatibility betweenthe different valencies of the vaccine, whether from the point of viewof the different antigens used or from the point of view of theformulations themselves, especially in the case where both inactivatedvaccines and live vaccines are combined. It also poses the problem ofpreservation of such combined vaccines and also of their safetyespecially in the presence of adjuvant. These vaccines are in generalquite expensive.

The degree of protection and the duration of this protection can, inaddition, be highly variable and are also sensitive to the circumstancesin the field. This is particularly true of the vaccination of puppies,in which the antibodies of maternal origin prevent immunization by theinactivated vaccines and even by live vaccines.

It may therefore be desirable to perfect the vaccination of Canidae, andespecially dogs, while keeping in mind the economic constraints actingagainst the use of vaccines which are expensive or complicated to use.

Vaccination trials against Carré's disease using purified preparationsof F fusion antigens and of H haemaglutinin equivalents in completeFreund's adjuvant have suggested that the F antigen might constitute animmunogen of interest for protection against the CDV virus (E. Norrby etal., J. of Virol. May 1986: 536-541) for a subunit vaccine.

Another article (P. de Vries et al., J. gen. Virol. 1988, 69: 2071-2083)suggests, on the other hand, that the CDV F and HA proteins might beadvantageous in a vaccination according to the technique ofimmunostimulatory complexes (ISCOMS).

Mice immunized with a recombinant vaccine expressing the gene for theCDV F protein were protected against challenge with this virus.

These are, however, laboratory results, which are difficult tointerprete especially under field conditions.

As regards parvoviroses, trials of subunit vaccines containing the majorcapsid protein VP2 from the CPV virus obtained by genetic recombinationin the baculovirus made it possible to show protection of dogs thusimmunized against challenge with the CPV virus.

As regards the canine herpesvirus CHV, studies have been carried out onthe use of glycoproteins as components of subunit vaccines. Thesestudies have shown the induction of cross-responses with otherherpesviruses such as FHV but do not draw any conclusion on thepossibilities of making a protective vaccine.

For the Lyme disease, associated OspA and OspB induce protection in miceand dogs and OspA alone in mice, hamsters and dogs.

Patent applications WO-A-90 11092, WO-A-93 19183, WO-A-94 21797 andWO-A-95 20660 have made use of the recently developed technique ofpolynucleotide vaccines. It is known that these vaccines use a plasmidcapable of expressing, in the host cells, the antigen inserted into theplasmid. All routes of administration have been proposed(intraperitoneal, intravenous, intramuscular, transcutaneous,intradermal, mucosal and the like). Various means of vaccination canalso be used, such as DNA deposited at the surface of gold particles andprojected so as to penetrate into the animal's skin (Tang et al., Nature356, 152-154, 1992) and liquid jet injectors which make it possible totransfect the skin, muscle, fatty tissues as well as the mammary tissues(Furth et al., Analytical Biochemistry, 205, 365-368, 1992). (See alsoU.S. Pat. Nos. 5,846,946, 5,620,896, 5,643,578, 5,580,589, 5,589,466,5,693,622, and 5,703,055; Science, 259:1745-49, 1993; Robinson et al.,seminars in IMMUNOLOGY, 9:271-83, 1997; Luke et al., J. Infect. Dis.175(1):91-97, 1997; Norman et al., Vaccine, 15(8):801-803, 1997; Bourneet al., The Journal of Infectious Disease, 173:800-7, 1996; and, notethat generally a plasmid for a vaccine or immunological composition cancomprise DNA encoding an antigen operatively linked to regulatorysequences which control expression or expression and secretion of theantigen from a host cell, e.g., a mammalian cell; for instance, fromupstream to downstream, DNA for a promoter, DNA for a eukaryotic leaderpeptide for secretion, DNA for the antigen, and DNA encoding aterminator.)

The polynucleotide vaccines may use both naked DNAs and DNAs formulated,for example, inside liposomes or cationic lipids.

The prior art, on the other hand, gives no result of protection in dogsby the polynucleotide method of vaccination against these diseases. Muchless is yet known about the canine coronavirus CCV and about the agentsresponsible for the respiratory complex.

As regards rabies, protection of mice against virulent challenge hasbeen demonstrated after treatment with a polynucleotide vaccineexpressing the gene for the G protein under the control of the SV40virus early promoter (Xiang et al., Virology 199, 1994: 132-140), asimilar result being achieved by using the CMV IE promoter.

The invention proposes to provide a multivalent vaccine formula whichmakes it possible to ensure vaccination of dogs against a number ofpathogenic agents.

Another objective of the invention is to provide such a vaccine formulacombining different valencies while exhibiting all the required criteriaof mutual compatibility and stability of the valencies.

Another objective of the invention is to provide such a vaccine formulawhich makes it possible to combine different valencies in the samevehicle.

Another objective of the invention is to provide such a vaccine formulawhich is easy and inexpensive to use.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a method ofvaccination which makes it possible to considerably increase theefficacy of the vaccine according to the invention or to substantiallyreduce the quantity of vaccine necessary, and having good safety.

The subject of the present invention is therefore a vaccine formulaagainst Canidae pathogens, comprising at least two vaccine valencieseach comprising a plasmid integrating, so as to express it in vivo inthe Canidae cells, a gene with one canine pathogen valency, namely aCarré's disease virus CDV valency and a canine parvovirus CPV valency,the plasmids comprising, for each valency, one or more of the genesselected from the group consisting of HA and F for the Carré's diseasevirus and the VP2 gene for the canine parvovirus.

Preferably, for the Carré's disease valency, the plasmid(s) comprise theHA and F genes, either inserted into the same plasmid, or inserted intodifferent plasmids.

The multivalent vaccine according to the invention may also comprise acanine coronavirus CCV valency, with one or several plasmids comprisingone or more of the genes selected from the group of the S and M genesand preferably the S gene or the S and M genes. Here also, the genes maybe inserted into different plasmids or grouped together in the sameplasmid in a context allowing their expression. The abovementioned bi-or trivalent vaccine according to the invention may also comprise, inaddition, a valency effective for the prevention of the respiratorycomplex, namely a PI2 valency comprising one or several plasmids whichcomprise at least one of the HA and F genes. Preferably, the use of boththe two HA and F genes is envisaged.

Other advantageous valencies in the case of the present invention maytherefore be associated with the vaccines according to the invention,namely one or more of the valencies selected from the group formed bythe herpesvirosis CHV, Lyme disease and rabies, the plasmids comprising,for each valency, one or more of the genes selected from the groupcomposed of the gB and gD genes for the CHV virus, the OspA, OspB andp100 genes for B. burgdorferi (Lyme disease), and the G gene for rabies.

Preferably, for herpesvirosis, the two gB and gD genes are associatedeither in two separate plasmids, or in a single plasmid. For Lymedisease, the OspA gene is preferred.

Preferably, the vaccine according to the invention comprising theCarré's disease and parvovirosis valencies will comprise, as othervalency, the coronavirosis valency or, less preferably, the respiratorycomplex valency, or these two valencies, it being understood that anycombination comprising, one, several or all the coronavirosis,respiratory complex, herpesvirosis, Lyme disease and rabies valenciescan be associated with the two Carré's disease and parvovirosisvalencies.

Valency in the present invention is understood to mean at least oneantigen providing protection against the virus for the pathogenconsidered, it being possible for the valency to contain, as subvalency,one or more modified or natural genes from one or more strains of thepathogen considered.

Pathogenic agent gene is understood to mean not only the complete genebut also the various nucleotide sequences, including fragments whichretain the capacity to induce a protective response. The notion of thegene covers the nucleotide sequences equivalent to those describedprecisely in the examples, that is to say the sequences which aredifferent but which encode the same protein. It also covers thenucleotide sequences of other strains of the pathogen considered, whichprovide cross-protection or a protection specific for a strain or for astrain group. It also covers the nucleotide sequences which have beenmodified in order to facilitate the in vivo expression by the hostanimal but encoding the same protein.

The different valencies are contained in the vaccinal formulationaccording to the invention in a therapeutically effective quantity.

Preferably, the vaccine formula according to the invention can beprovided in a suitable vehicle for administration, preferably by theintramuscular route, in a dose volume of between 0.1 and 5 ml,preferably between 0.5 and 2 ml.

The dose will be generally between 10 ng and 1 mg, preferably 100 ng and500 μg, and preferably between 1 μg and 250 μg per plasmid type.

Use will preferably be made of naked plasmids simply placed in thevaccination vehicle which will be in general physiological saline (0.9%NaCl), ultrapure water, TE buffer and the like. All the polynucleotidevaccine forms described in the prior art can of course be used.

Each plasmid comprises a promoter capable of ensuring the expression ofthe gene inserted, under its control, into the host cells. This will bein general a strong eukaryotic promoter and in particular acytomegalovirus early CMV-IE promoter of human or murine origin, oroptionally of another origin such as rats, pigs and guinea pigs.

More generally, the promoter may be either of viral origin or ofcellular origin. As viral promoter other than CMV-IE, there may bementioned the SV40 virus early or late promoter or the Rous sarcomavirus LTR promoter. It may also be a promoter from the virus from whichthe gene is derived, for example the gene's own promoter.

As cellular promoter, there may be mentioned the promoter of acytoskeleton gene, such as for example the desmin promoter (Bolmont etal., Journal of Submicroscopic Cytology and Pathology, 1990, 22,117-122; and Zhenlin et al., Gene, 1989, 78, 243-254), or alternativelythe actin promoter.

When several genes are present in the same plasmid, these may bepresented in the same transcription unit or in two different units.

The combination of the different vaccine valencies according to theinvention may be preferably achieved by mixing the polynucleotideplasmids expressing the antigen(s) of each valency, but it is alsopossible to envisage causing antigens of several valencies to beexpressed by the same plasmid.

The subject of the present invention is also a method for vaccinatingdogs, comprising the administration of an effective dose of a vaccineformula as described above. This vaccination method comprises theadministration of one or more doses of the vaccine formula, it beingpossible for these doses to be administered in succession over a shortperiod of time and/or in succession at widely spaced intervals.

The vaccine formulae according to the invention can be administered inthe context of this method of vaccination, by the different routes ofadministration proposed in the prior art in the case of polynucleotidevaccination and by means of known techniques of administration, thepreferred route being the intramuscular route.

The efficiency of presentation of the antigens to the immune systemvaries according to the tissues. In particular, the mucous membranes ofthe respiratory tree serve as barrier to the entry of pathogens and areassociated with lymphoid tissues which support local immunity. Theadministration of a vaccine by contact with the mucous membranes, inparticular the buccal mucous membrane, the pharyngeal mucous membraneand the mucous membrane of the bronchial region, is certainly ofinterest for vaccination against respiratory and digestive pathologies.

Consequently, the mucosal routes of administration form part of a modeof administration for the invention using in particular nebulization orspray or drinking water. It will be possible to apply the vaccineformulae and the vaccination methods according to the invention in thiscontent.

The subject of the invention is also monovalent vaccine formulaecomprising one or more plasmids encoding one or more genes from one ofthe viruses above, the genes being those described above. Besides theirmonovalent character, these formulae may possess the characteristicsstated above as regards the choice of the genes, their combinations, thecomposition of the plasmids, the dose volumes, the doses and the like.

The monovalent vaccine formulae may be used (i) for the preparation of apolyvalent vaccine formula as described above, (ii) individually againstthe actual pathology, (iii) combined with a vaccine of another type(live or inactivated whole, recombinant, subunit) against anotherpathology, or (iv) as booster for a vaccine as described below.

The subject of the present invention is in fact also the use of one ormore plasmids according to the invention for the manufacture of a caninevaccine intended to vaccinate animals first vaccinated by means of afirst conventional vaccine (monovalent or multivalent) of the type inthe prior art, in particular selected from the group consisting of alive whole vaccine, an inactivated whole vaccine, a subunit vaccine, arecombinant vaccine, this first vaccine having (that is to saycontaining or capable of expressing) the antigen(s) encoded by theplasmid(s) or antigen(s) providing cross-protection.

Remarkably, the polynucleotide vaccine has a potent booster effect whichresults in an amplification of the immune response and the acquisitionof a long-lasting immunity.

In general, the first-vaccination vaccines can be selected fromcommercial vaccines available from various veterinary vaccine producers.

The subject of the invention is also the method of vaccinationconsisting in making a first vaccination as described above and abooster with a vaccine formula according to the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention,there is administered in a first instance, to the animal, an effectivedose of the vaccine of the conventional, especially inactivated, live,attenuated or recombinant type, or alternatively a subunit vaccine, soas to provide a first vaccination, and, after a period preferably of 2to 6 weeks, the polyvalent or monovalent vaccine according to theinvention is administered.

The subject of the invention is also a vaccination kit grouping togethera first-vaccination vaccine as described above and a vaccine formulaaccording to the invention for the booster. It also relates to a vaccineformula according to the invention accompanied by a leaflet indicatingthe use of this formula as a booster for a first vaccination asdescribed above.

The invention also relates to the method of preparing the vaccineformulae, namely the preparation of the valencies and mixtures thereof,as evident from this description.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with the aid ofthe embodiments of the invention taken with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Plasmid pVR1012

FIG. 2: Plasmid pAB044

FIG. 3: Plasmid pAB036

FIG. 4: Plasmid pAB024

FIG. 5: Plasmid pAB021

FIG. 6: Plasmid pAB022

FIG. 7: Plasmid pAB037

FIG. 8: Plasmid pAB038

FIG. 9: Plasmid pAB017

FIG. 10: Plasmid pAB041

SEQUENCE LISTING SEQ ID NO.

SEQ ID No. 1: oligonucleotide AB017

SEQ ID No. 2: Oligonucleotide AB018

SEQ ID No. 3: Oligonucleotide AB085

SEQ ID No. 4: Oligonucleotide AB086

SEQ ID No. 5: oligonucleotide AB053

SEQ ID No. 6: Oligonucleotide AB054

SEQ ID No. 7: Oligonucleotide AB045

SEQ ID No. 8: Oligonucleotide AB048

SEQ ID No. 9: Oligonucleotide AB049

SEQ ID No. 10: Oligonucleotide AB050

SEQ ID No. 11: Oligonucleotide AB087

SEQ ID No. 12: Oligonucleotide AB088

SEQ ID No. 13: Oligonucleotide AB089

SEQ ID No. 14: Oligonucleotide AB090

SEQ ID No. 15: Oligonucleotide AB038

SEQ ID No. 16: Oligonucleotide AB039

SEQ ID No. 17: Oligonucleotide AB011

SEQ ID No. 18: Oligonucleotide AB012

EXAMPLES Example 1 Culture of the Viruses

The viruses are cultured on the appropriate cellular system until acytopathic effect is obtained. The cellular systems to be used for eachvirus are well known to persons skilled in the art. Briefly, cellssensitive to the virus used, which are cultured in Eagle's minimumessential medium (MEM medium) or another appropriate medium, areinoculated with the viral strain studied using a multiplicity ofinfection of 1. The infected cells are then incubated at 37° C. for thetime necessary for the appearance of a complete cytopathic effect (onaverage 36 hours).

Example 2 Culture of the Bacteria

The Borrelia burgdorferi strains are cultured in appropriate media andaccording to conditions well known to persons skilled in the art. Theseconditions and media are in particular described by A. Barbour (J. Biol.Med. 1984, 57, 71-75). The extraction of the bacterial DNA was carriedout according to the conditions described by W. Simpson et al. (Infect.Immun. 1990, 58, 847-853). The usual techniques described by J. Sambrooket al. (Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition, Cold SpringHarbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989) can also be used.

Example 3 Extraction of the Viral Genomic DNAs

After culturing, the supernatant and the lysed cells are harvested andthe entire viral suspension is centrifuged at 1000 g for 10 minutes at+4° C. so as to remove the cellular debris. The viral particles are thenharvested by ultracentrifugation at 400,000 g for 1 hour at +4° C. Thepellet is taken up in a minimum volume of buffer (10 mM Tris, 1 mMEDTA). This concentrated viral suspension is treated with proteinase K(100 μg/ml final) in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) (0.5%final) for 2 hours at 37° C. The viral DNA is then extracted with aphenol/chloroform mixture and then precipitated with 2 volumes ofabsolute ethanol. After leaving overnight at −20° C., the DNA iscentrifuged at 10,000 g for 15 minutes at +4° C. The DNA pellet is driedand then taken up in a minimum volume of sterile ultrapure water. It canthen be digested with restriction enzymes.

Example 4 Isolation of the Viral Genomic RNAs

The RNA viruses were purified according to techniques well known topersons skilled in the art. The genomic viral RNA of each virus was thenisolated using the “guanidium thiocyanate/phenol-chloroform” extractiontechnique described by P. Chomczynski and N. Sacchi (Anal. Biochem.,1987, 162, 156-159).

Example 5 Molecular Biology Techniques

All the constructions of plasmids were carried out using the standardmolecular biology techniques described by J. Sambrook et al. (MolecularCloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Edition, Cold Spring HarborLaboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989). All the restrictionfragments used for the present invention were isolated using the“Geneclean” kit (BIO 101 Inc., La Jolla, Calif.).

Example 6 RT-PCR Technique

Specific oligonucleotides (comprising restriction sites at their 5′ endsto facilitate the cloning of the amplified fragments) were synthesizedsuch that they completely cover the coding regions of the genes whichare to be amplified (see specific examples). The reverse transcription(RT) reaction and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were carried outaccording to standard techniques (Sambrook J. et al., 1989). Each RT-PCRreaction was performed with a pair of specific amplimers and taking, astemplate, the viral genomic RNA extracted. The complementary DNAamplified was extracted with phenol/chloroform/isoamyl alcohol (25:24:1)before being digested with restriction enzymes.

Example 7 Plasmid pVR1012

The plasmid pVR1012 (FIG. 1) was obtained from Vical Inc., San Diego,Calif., USA. Its construction has been described in J. Hartikka et al.(Human Gene Therapy, 1996, 7, 1205-1217).

Example 8 Construction of the Plasmid pAB044 (CDV HA gene)

An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique of Example 6 was carriedout with the Carré's disease virus (CDV) (Onderstepoort strain) genomicRNA (M. Sidhu et al., Virology, 1993, 193, 66-72), prepared according tothe technique of Example 4, and with the following oligonucleotides:

AB017 (35 mer) (SEQ ID No. 1)

5′ AAAACTGCAGAATGCTCCCCTACCAAGACAAGGTG 3′

AB018 (37 mer) (SEQ ID No. 2)

5′ CGCGGATCCTTAACGGTTACATGAGAATCTTATACGG 3′

so as to isolate the gene encoding the CDV HA glycoprotein in the formof a PstI-BamHI fragment. After purification, the 1835 bp RT-PCR productwas digested with PstI and BamHI in order to isolate a 1817 bpPstI-BamHI fragment. This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012(Example 7) previously digested with PstI and BamHI, to give the plasmidpAB044 (6676 bp (FIG. 2).

Example 9 Construction of the Plasmid pAB036 (CDV F Gene)

An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique of Example 6 was carriedout with the Carré's disease virus (CDV) (Onderstepoort strain) genomicRNA (R. Driellen, Genbank sequence accession No.=X65509), preparedaccording to the technique of Example 4, and with the followingoligonucleotides:

AB085 (40 mer) (SEQ ID No. 3)

5′ ATAAGAAGCGGCCGCACATGCACAAGGGAATCCCCAAAAG 3′

AB086 (32 mer) (SEQ ID No. 4)

5′ CGCGGATCCACTTCAGTGTGATCTCACATAGG 3′

so as to isolate the gene encoding the CDV F glycoprotein in the form ofan NotI-BamHI fragment. After purification, the 2018 bp RT-PCR productwas digested with NotI and BamHI in order to isolate a 2000 bpNotI-BamHI fragment. This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012(Example 7), previously digested with NotI and BamHI, to give theplasmid pAB036 (6893 bp) (FIG. 3).

Example 10 Construction of the Plasmid pAB024 (Canine Parvovirus VP2Gene)

A PCR reaction was carried out with the canine parvovirus (CPV) (CPV-bstrain) genomic DNA (C. Parrish Genbank sequence accession No.=M19296),prepared according to the technique of Example 3, and with the followingoligonucleotides:

AB053 (33 mer) (SEQ ID No. 5)

5′ ACGCGTCGACATGAGTGATGGAGCAGTTCAACC 3′

AB054 (33 mer) (SEQ ID No. 6)

5′ CGCGGATCCTTAATATAATTTTCTAGGTGCTAG 3′

so as isolate the gene encoding the VP2 capsid protein (CPV VP2) in theform of a SalI-BamHI fragment. After purification, the 1773 bp PCRproduct was digested with SalI and BamHI in order to isolate a 1760 bpSalI-BamHI fragment. This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012(Example 7), previously digested with SalI and BamHI, to give theplasmid pAB024 (6629 bp) (FIG. 4).

Example 11 Construction of the Plasmid pAB021 (CCV S Gene)

An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique of Example 6 was carriedout with the canine coronavirus (CCV) genomic RNA (B. Horsburgh et al.,J. Gen. Virol. 1992, 73, 2849-2862), prepared according to the techniqueof Example 4, and with the following oligonucleotides:

AB045 (32 mer) (SEQ ID No. 7)

5′ ACGCGTCGACATGATTGTGCTTACATTGTGCC 3′

AB048 (35 mer) (SEQ ID No. 8)

5′ CGCGGATCCTCAGTGAACATGAACTTTTTCAATAG 3′

so as to amplify a 4374 bp fragment containing the gene encoding the CCVS glycoprotein in the form of a SalI-BamHI fragment. After purification,the RT-PCR product was digested with SalI and BamHI to give a 4361 bpSalI-BamHI fragment.

This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012 (Example 7),previously digested with SalI and BamHI to give the plasmid pAB021 (9230bp) (FIG. 5).

Example 12 Construction of the Plasmid pAB022 (CCV M Gene)

An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique of Example 6 was carriedout with the canine coronavirus (CCV) genomic RNA (B. Horsburgh et al.,J. Gen. Virol. 1992, 73, 2849-2862), prepared according to the techniqueof Example 4, and with the following oligonucleotides:

AB049 (34 mer) (SEQ ID No. 9)

5′ AAAACTGCAGAAATGAAGAAAATTTTGTTTTTAC 3′

AB050 (33 mer) (SEQ ID No. 10)

5′ CGCGGATCCTTATACCATATGTAATAATTTTTC 3′

so as to isolate the gene encoding the M glycoprotein (CCV M) in theform of a PstI-BamHI fragment. After purification, the 809 bp RT-PCRproduct was digested with PstI and BamHI in order to isolate a 792 bpPstI-BamHI fragment. This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012(Example 7), previously digested with PstI and BamHI, to give theplasmid pAB022 (5651 bp) (FIG. 6).

Example 13 Construction of the Plasmid pAB037 (CHV gB Gene)

A PCR reaction was carried out with the canine herpesvirus (CHV)(Carmichael strain) genomic DNA (K. Limbach et al., J. Gen. Virol. 1994,75, 2029-2039), prepared according to the technique of Example 3, andwith the following oligonucleotides:

AB087 (34 mer) (SEQ ID No. 11)

5′ AAAACTGCAGAAGTATGTTTTCATTGTATCTATA 3′

AB088 (34 mer) (SEQ ID No. 12)

5′ CTAGTCTAGATTATTAAACTTTACTTTCATTTTC 3′

so as to isolate the gene encoding the CHV virus gB glycoprotein in theform of a PstI-XbaI fragment. After purification, the 2667 bp PCRproduct was digested with PstI and XbaI in order to isolate a 2648 bpPstI-XbaI fragment. This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012(Example 7), previously digested with PstI-XbaI, to give the plasmidpAB037 (7523 bp) (FIG. 7).

Example 14 Construction of the Plasmid pAB038 (CHV gD Gene)

A PCR reaction was carried out with the canine herpesvirus (CHV)(Carmichael strain) genomic DNA (K. Limbach et al., J. Gen. Virol. 1994,75, 2029-2039), prepared according to the technique of Example 3, andwith the following oligonucleotides:

AB089 (34 mer) (SEQ ID No. 13)

5′ AAAACTGCAGAAAATGATTAAACTTCTATTTATC 3′

AB090 (35 mer) (SEQ ID No. 14)

5′ ATAAGAATGCGGCCGCAAAGGCTAAACATTTGTTG 3′

so as to isolate the gene encoding the CHV virus gD glycoprotein in theform of a PstI-NotI fragment. After purification, the 1072 bp PCRproduct was digested with PstI and NotI in order to isolate a 1049 bpPstI-NotI fragment. This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012(Example 7), previously digested with PstI and NotI, to give the plasmidpAB038 (5930 bp) (FIG. 8).

Example 15 Construction of the Plasmid pAB017 ( Borrelia burgdorferiospA Gene)

A PCR reaction was carried out with the Borrelia burgdorferi (B31strain) genomic DNA (S. Bergstrom et al., Mol. Microbiol. 1989, 3,479-486), prepared according to the technique of Example 2, and with thefollowing oligonucleotides:

AB038 (37 mer) (SEQ ID No. 15)

5′ ACGCGTCGACTATGAAAAAATATTTATTGGGAATAGG 3′

AB039 (34 mer) (SEQ ID No. 16)

5′ CGCGGATCCCTTATTTTAAAGCGTTTTTAATTTC 3′

so as to isolate the gene encoding the OspA membrane protein in the formof a SalI-BamHI fragment. After purification, the 842 bp PCR product wasdigested with SalI and BamHI in order to isolate an 829 bp SalI-BamHIfragment. This fragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012 (Example 7),previously digested with SalI and BamHI, to give the plasmid pAB017(5698 bp) (FIG. 9).

Example 16 Construction of the Plasmid pAB041 (rabies Virus G Gene)

An RT-PCR reaction according to the technique of Example 6 was carriedout with the rabies virus (ERA strain) genomic RNA (A. Anilionis et al.,Nature, 1981, 294, 275-278), prepared according to the technique ofExample 4, and with the following oligonucleotides:

AB011 (33 mer) (SEQ ID No. 17)

5′ AAAACTGCAGACATGGTTCCTCAGGCTCTCCTG 3′

AB012 (34 mer) (SEQ ID No. 18)

5′ CGCGGATCCTCACAGTCTGGTCTCACCCCCACTC 3′

so as to amplify a 1589 bp fragment containing the gene encoding therabies virus G glycoprotein. After purification, the RT-PCR product wasdigested with PstI and BamHI to give a 1578 bp PstI-BamHI fragment. Thisfragment was ligated with the vector pVR1012 (Example 7), previouslydigested with PstI and BamHI, to give the plasmid pAB041 (6437 bp) (FIG.10).

Example 17 Production and Purification of the Plasmids

For the preparation of the plasmids intended for the vaccination ofanimals, any technique may be used which makes it possible to obtain asuspension of purified plasmids predominantly in the supercoiled form.These techniques are well known to persons skilled in the art. There maybe mentioned in particular the alkaline lysis technique followed by twosuccessive ultracentrifugations on a caesium chloride gradient in thepresence of ethidium bromide as described in J. Sambrook et al.(Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd edition, Cold Spring HarborLaboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y., 1989). Reference may also be madeto patent applications PCT WO 95/21250 and PCT WO 96/02658 whichdescribe methods for producing, on an industrial scale, plasmids whichcan be used for vaccination. For the purposes of the manufacture ofvaccines (see Example 18), the purified plasmids are resuspended so asto obtain solutions at a high concentration (>2 mg/ml) which arecompatible with storage. To do this the plasmids are resuspended eitherin ultrapure water or in TE buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl; 1 mM EDTA, pH 8.0).

Example 18 Manufacture of the Associated Vaccines

The various plasmids necessary for the manufacture of an associatedvaccine are mixed starting with their concentrated solutions (Example16). The mixtures are prepared such that the final concentration of eachplasmid corresponds to the effective dose of each plasmid. The solutionswhich can be used to adjust the final concentration of the vaccine maybe either a 0.9% NaCl solution, or PBS buffer.

Specific formulations, such as liposomes and cationic lipids, may alsobe used for the manufacture of the vaccines.

Example 19 Vaccination of Dogs

The dogs are vaccinated with doses of 10 μg, 50 μg or 250 μg perplasmid.

The injections can be performed with a needle by the intramuscularroute. In this case, the vaccinal doses are administered in volumes of 1or 2 ml. The injections may be performed with a needle by theintradermal route. In this case, the vaccinal doses are administered ina total volume of 1 ml administered at 10 points of 0.1 ml or at 20points of 0.05 ml. The intradermal injections are performed aftershaving the skin (thoracic flank in general) or at the level of arelatively glabrous anatomical region, for example the inner surface ofthe thigh. A liquid jet injection apparatus can also be used for theintradermal injections.

18 1 35 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 1 aaaactgcag aatgctcccc taccaagacaaggtg 35 2 37 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 2 cgcggatcct taacggttacatgagaatct tatacgg 37 3 40 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 3 ataagaagcggccgcacatg cacaagggaa tccccaaaag 40 4 32 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 4cgcggatcca cttcagtgtg atctcacata gg 32 5 33 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 5acgcgtcgac atgagtgatg gagcagttca acc 33 6 33 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 6cgcggatcct taatataatt ttctaggtgc tag 33 7 32 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 7acgcgtcgac atgattgtgc ttacattgtg cc 32 8 35 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 8cgcggatcct cagtgaacat gaactttttc aatag 35 9 34 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi9 aaaactgcag aaatgaagaa aattttgttt ttac 34 10 33 DNA Borreliaburgdorferi 10 cgcggatcct tataccatat gtaataattt ttc 33 11 34 DNABorrelia burgdorferi 11 aaaactgcag aagtatgttt tcattgtatc tata 34 12 34DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 12 ctagtctaga ttattaaact ttactttcat tttc 34 1334 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 13 aaaactgcag aaaatgatta aacttctarr ratc 3414 35 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 14 ataagaatgc ggccgcaaag gctaaacatt tgttg35 15 37 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 15 acgcgtcgac tatgaaaaaa tatttattgggaatagg 37 16 34 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 16 cgcggatccc ttattttaaagcgtttttaa tttc 34 17 33 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 17 aaaactgcagagatggttcc tcaggctctc ctg 33 18 34 DNA Borrelia burgdorferi 18cgcggatcct cacagtctgg tctcaccccc actc 34

What is claimed is:
 1. A Canidae vaccine comprising an effective amount to elicit a protective immune response in a Canidae of a plasmid that contains and expresses in a Canidae host cell a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding rabies G, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 2. The vaccine according to claim 1, wherein expression of the nucleic acid sequence is under the control of a promoter selected from the group consisting of a CMV-IE promoter, a SV40 early promoter, a SV40 late promoter, a Rous sarcoma virus LTR promoter, and a promoter of a cytoskeleton gene.
 3. The vaccine according to claim 2, wherein the promoter is a CMV-IE promoter.
 4. The vaccine according to claim 1, in a dose volume between 0.1 and 5 ml.
 5. The vaccine according to claim 4, in a dose volume between 0.5 and 2 ml.
 6. The vaccine according to claim 1, which comprises from 10 ng to 1 mg, of the plasmid.
 7. The vaccine according to claim 6, which comprises from 100 ng to 500 μg, of the plasmid.
 8. The vaccine according to claim 6, which comprises between 1 μg and 250 μg of the plasmid.
 9. A Canidae vaccine comprising an effective amount to elicit a protective immune response in a Canidae of a plasmid that contains and expresses in a Canidae host cell a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding rabies G, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the plasmid further contains and expresses in vivo in a Canidae host cell a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence from another Canidae pathogen.
 10. A method for vaccinating a Canidae comprising administering to said Canidae an effective amount to confer protective immunity in the Canidae of a Canidae vaccine comprising an effective amount to elicit a protective immune response in a Canidae of a plasmid that contains and expresses in a Canidae host cell a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding rabies G, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 11. A method for vaccinating a Canidae according to claim 10 wherein the plasmid expression of the nucleic acid sequence is under the control of a promoter selected from the group consisting of a CMV-IE promoter, a SV40 early promoter, a SV40 late promoter, a Rous sarcoma virus LTR promoter, and a promoter of a cytoskeleton gene.
 12. A method for vaccinating a Canidae according to claim 11 wherein the promoter is a CMV-IE promoter.
 13. A method for vaccinating a Canidae according to claim 10 wherein the vaccine is in a dose volume between 0.1 and 5 ml.
 14. A method for vaccinating a Canidae according to claim 13 wherein the vaccine is in a dose volume between 0.5 and 2 ml.
 15. A method for vaccinating a Canidae according to claim 10 wherein the vaccine comprises from 10 ng to 1 mg, of the plasmid.
 16. A method for vaccinating a Canidae according to claim 15 wherein the vaccine comprises from 100 ng to 500 μg, of the plasmid.
 17. A method for vaccinating a Canidae according to claim 15 wherein the vaccine comprises between 1 μg and 250 μg of the plasmid.
 18. A method for vaccinating a Canidae according to claim 10 wherein the plasmid further contains and expresses in vivo in a Canidae host cell a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence from another Canidae pathogen.
 19. A method of vaccinating a Canidae host comprising: administering to said Canidae a vaccine selected from the group consisting of a live whole vaccine, an inactivated whole vaccine, a subunit vaccine, and a recombinant vaccine; and thereafter, administering a Canidae vaccine comprising an effective amount to elicit a protective immune response in a Canidae of a plasmid that contains and expresses in a Canidae host cell a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding rabies G, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 20. A kit comprising (i) a Canidae vaccine comprising an effective amount to elicit a protective immune response in a Canidae of a plasmid that contains and expresses in a Canidae host cell a nucleic acid molecule having a nucleic acid sequence encoding rabies G, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and (ii) a Canidae vaccine selected from the group consisting of a live whole vaccine, an inactivated whole vaccine, a subunit vaccine, and recombinant vaccine. 